The No. 1 Thing Millennials Want From Their Jobs: Work-Life Balance

The No. 1 thing millennials want from their jobs is the thing so many of us struggle to achieve—work-life balance. According to the results of a new report, more than half of young women and men think their lives outside of the office are more important, with just 11 percent putting work first. In its report, "How Millennials Navigate Their Careers: Young Adult Views on Work, Life and Success," researchers with the Boston College Center for Work and Family document the feelings and beliefs of professional, working women and men ages 22 to 35. In total, 66 percent of the participants said life outside of work was more important to them than their careers, while just 23 percent valued life in and out of work equally. When the participants were asked to rank five areas of their lives by importance and success, the choice "liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals" came in last place. In terms of importance, millennials ranked "having good mental and physical health and enough energy to get things done daily" as their top priority. And when it came to success, "having supportive relationships and love in your life"

In its report, "How Millennials Navigate Their Careers: Young Adult Views on Work, Life and Success," researchers with the Boston College Center for Work and Family document the feelings and beliefs of professional, working women and men ages 22 to 35. In total, 66 percent of the participants said life outside of work was more important to them than their careers, while just 23 percent valued life in and out of work equally.

When the participants were asked to rank five areas of their lives by importance and success, the choice "liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals" came in last place. In terms of importance, millennials ranked "having good mental and physical health and enough energy to get things done daily" as their top priority. And when it came to success, "having supportive relationships and love in your life" topped millennials' must-have lists.

"Millennials hear stories of people who have given up everything to climb the corporate ladder—those who are 100 percent committed to the job, willing to pick up and go at the drop of a hat, hire au pairs for their kids," lead author Brad Harrington said in a press release. "They say, Yes, I'm ambitious and I'm willing to work hard to do the things it takes to get ahead. But if that's the cost, I'm not sure I define that as a success.' I do think millennials are taking a somewhat more holistic view of success and seeing life and work being more connected to one another."

Do you value your personal life more than your career? What do you give up to achieve work-life balance?